CONTRACEPTION/
BIRTH CONTROL METHODS
Larimer County Department of Health
Family Planning Clinics
www.larimer.org/health
How Does Pregnancy Begin?

Conception


When an woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm. The
usual way this occurs is through sexual intercourse.
Implantation

When a fertilized egg implants into the lining of the
woman’s uterus. Approximately 50% of all fertilized eggs
do not implant.
How does a woman know that she has become
pregnant?
Missed period
Nausea/morning sickness
+ pregnancy test
Pregnancy
How does a woman know if she has
become pregnant?
Possible signs of pregnancy:
 Breast soreness
 Missed period
 Nausea (“morning sickness”)
A positive pregnancy test (urine)
will show up one or two days
after a missed period.
Pregnancy


Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters,
each one being about 12 weeks long.
Pregnancy lasts 38-40 weeks
Pregnancy


The first 12 weeks of pregnancy
are very important for the
developing fetus.
During pregnancy, it is important
for a pregnant woman to avoid the
following:



Alcohol and drugs, including tobacco
Certain over-the-counter and
prescription medications
Certain foods and activities
Teenagers need to know about things like birth
control because most are having sex.
False! Less than ½ of high school
students have had sex.
Unplanned Pregnancy


About ½ of all pregnancies in the United States are
unplanned and occur to women of all childbearing
ages (15-45 years old).
In the United States, nearly 750,000 teens become
pregnant each year.
Becoming a parent at an early age could make it
difficult for a young person to reach his or her
goals.
True
Pregnancy and Family
Preventing an unplanned pregnancy…
 Allows
people who want to have children in the
future time to establish a career and save money.
 Allows
people to complete their education without
the stress a child can bring.
 Research
shows that when mom plans for her
pregnancy, the baby is generally born healthier.
What is Contraception?

Any method, device, or medication that prevents one or
both of the following processes in a woman’s body:

Conception- when a female’s egg is fertilized by a male’s sperm.
OR

Implantation-when the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the
uterus.
A teenager must have their parent’s permission to
get condoms, the pill, or a pregnancy test.
False
What Does Not Work to
Prevent Pregnancy?

Rinsing out the vagina after intercourse
(douching)

Plastic wrap instead of a condom



Urinating after intercourse
Having sex in a particular position
Withdrawing (“pulling out”) before ejaculation
Why use contraception?

A sexually active couple
has about a 85% chance
of becoming pregnant
within one year without
using any type of birth
control.
Things for a person to consider
before using contraception:





Where do I get the method?
How much will the method cost and who will
pay?
How do I use the method?
How effective is the method at preventing
pregnancy and STDs?
Does the method have any potential side
effects that could harm me?
Categories of Contraception






Abstinence
Natural
Barrier
Hormonal
Intrauterine Devices
Surgical
Abstinence



Abstinence = not engaging in sexual intercourse for a
specified amount of time
Some people choose to abstain from sex until they are
married or have reached their educational goals. Others
choose abstinence because it is the healthiest option when it
comes to protecting their sexual health and relationships.
Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent
pregnancy
How can a girl know when she is “fertile?” Is
there a safe time to have sex each month?
It’s difficult for a girl to know
when she is ovulating-or fertile.
There is no absolutely safe time to
have sex without the risk of
pregnancy.
Natural Birth Control Methods
Methods used to prevent pregnancy that do not require
any sort of medical device or medication.
In order to effectively prevent pregnancy, these methods
require:


significant knowledge about ovulation and menstrual cycles
Consistent personal awareness of body changes
Natural methods are NOT recommended for teens
Barrier Methods


Any method that prevents the male’s sperm
from reaching the female’s egg by creating a
barrier.
Barrier methods must be used consistently and
correctly to help prevent pregnancy.
Male Condom
over-the-counter



85%-97% effective for preventing pregnancy; a
condom must be used correctly and with every act of
intercourse to be effective.
Helps to prevent some sexually transmitted infections
Latex, lubricated condoms are the most effective type
of condom
Condoms can fail, even with perfect use. Some people are allergic to latex.
It’s a good idea to use some lotion with a
condom to prevent it from breaking, right?
False, only use a water based
lubricant with condoms.
Lotions and oils can ruin latex.
Correct Condom Usage
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Use a new condom for each act of intercourse.
Put the condom on an erect penis before any sexual
contact occurs (either partner can put the condom on).
Check the condom package for air and expiration date.
Make sure the condom will unroll the correct way onto
the erect penis.
Pinch the tip of the condom.
Use proper water-based lubrication to prevent
breakage.
Hold on to the base of the condom and withdraw while
the penis is still erect.
Female Condom
over-the-counter



80-95 % effective
This is a polyurethane barrier device that is placed
inside a woman’s vagina prior to intercourse.
Helps to prevent some STDs
Female condoms can be awkward, noisy, and might not be used correctly
Spermicides
over-the-counter



94% effective when used with a vaginal barrier.
Spermicides come in creams, jellies, gels, foams,
suppositories, and films.
Not as effective when used without another method of
birth control and does not prevent STDs
Spermicides can cause irritation of the skin, and some people can be
allergic to them.
Diaphragm
Rx only

80%-94% effective when used with spermicide

Must be fitted by a woman’s health care provider


Covers the cervix to create a barrier between the
sperm and the egg.
No protection against STDs
The Sponge
over-the-counter

80%-91% effective
(more effective for women who have not ever given birth)

This is a barrier method that a woman places inside
her vagina before each act of intercourse and
removes after intercourse.

The sponge contains spermicides, which can be
irritating for some people.

Does not protect against STDs
Hormonal Contraception

ALL hormonal methods of birth control work mainly by
altering a woman’s natural hormones, so that…
 Ovulation,
or the release of an egg each month, is
prevented
 The
lining of a woman’s cervix and uterus are
changed to make them less friendly to sperm or to a
fertilized egg
Potential Side Effects of
Hormonal Contraception
Common side effects might
include:




Breast soreness
Nausea
Headache
Mood changes
Potential Side Effects of
Hormonal Contraception
Rare, but serious side effects of hormonal birth
control methods can also occur:
 Blood
Clots
 Stroke
 Death
Smoking while using hormonal birth control is
particularly risky.
Potential Side Effects of
Hormonal Contraception

Using hormonal methods might also lead to:

Clearer skin

Lighter and shorter menstrual periods

Fewer symptoms of PMS (cramps, etc.)

Reduced chance of getting certain types of cancer
The Pill
Rx only



95%-99% effective
For as long as the woman does not wish to become
pregnant, a pill must be taken every day, at around the
same time each day (with a seven day break every 21
days to allow for a menstrual period)
No protection against STDs
Some women have trouble remembering to take their pill, making it less effective
The Patch
Rx only




99% effective when used correctly
The hormones are absorbed from the patch and into
the woman’s skin.
Applied weekly (with a patch free week every 3
weeks to allow for a menstrual period) for as long as
the woman does not wish to become pregnant.
No protection against STDs
Some women experience irritation at the patch site and many worry it will fall off
Vaginal Ring
Rx only



99% effective when used correctly
A woman must insert and remove the vaginal ring herself
about once a month for as long as she does not want to
become pregnant.
No protection against STDs
The Shot-Depo Provera
Rx only



99% effective if used correctly
Injected into a woman’s buttock muscle about every 3
months for as long as she does not wish to become
pregnant
No protection against STDs
Some women gain weight while using the shot, or have heavy periods
Contraceptive Implants
Rx Only
•Implanon is a single, flexible plastic rod that is surgically placed
under the skin in the woman’s upper arm, and release hormones
constantly into the body.
•99% effective
•Can be left in place for up to 3 years at a time.
There is nothing a woman can do to prevent
pregnancy once unprotected intercourse has
happened. She’ll just have to wait and see.
False, she can obtain and take
emergency contraception.
Emergency
Contraceptive Pills
Rx and over-the-counter
•A woman can take EC within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected
intercourse. It can help prevent pregnancy.
•EC works by:
•Temporarily stopping ovulation OR
•Preventing a fertilized egg from implanting
•EC will not end a pregnancy once a fertilized egg has
implanted. If a woman takes EC, she may still become pregnant.
Intrauterine Contraception
Rx Only

IUC is 98-99% effective.

IUC can be used long-term, but is still reversible.

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small device inserted through a woman’s
vagina and into her uterus by a doctor.

IUC works by creating an environment inside the uterus that is unfriendly
to sperm and/or a fertilized egg.
Voluntary Surgical Sterilization
Tubal Ligation
Vasectomy
These methods are considered permanent and generally are close to 100% effective
Anyone can get surgically sterilized if he or she is
sure they don’t want to have biological children.
False, a person must be 21 years
old and sign a consent form.
Options for pregnancy



Continue pregnancy and parent the child.
Continue pregnancy and make an adoption
plan.
End the pregnancy by having a medical
procedure called an abortion.
For more information:

www.larimer.org/health

www.managingcontraception.com

The Larimer County Department of Health
Family Planning Clinics